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May 29th, 2009

Weeklong SR 538/Riverside Drive Intersection Closure Begins May 31 in Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON – Drivers who regularly use the SR 538/Riverside Drive intersection in Mount Vernon will need to plan an alternate route starting the evening of May 31.

Crews will completely close the intersection for one week – 9 p.m. Sunday, May 31, to 6 a.m. Monday, June 8 – as they replace the current asphalt road surface with more durable, longer-lasting concrete.

The current asphalt intersection is heavily rutted. The new concrete intersection is less likely to develop ruts and will be safer for drivers.

This $2.7 million project will help support more than 27 jobs and several local construction companies.

Detour signs will be posted in advance along Riverside Drive and SR 538 (College Way) to direct drivers around the closure. Signed detours will direct traffic north around the intersection via Urban Avenue, Commercial and Market streets. Drivers will use 18th and Fir streets and Freeway Drive to detour south around the closure.

Drivers will still have access to all businesses near the intersection. For more details on detour routes and business access, see our maps on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157616809468328/

The Riverside Drive improvements are the first part of a project that also includes repaving a five-mile stretch of SR 536 and a half-mile of SR 538 in Mount Vernon. Construction at all three locations is expected to be complete by fall 2009.

For more information about this project, visit the project Web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR536/SR538Paving.

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WSDOT's mission is to keep people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real-time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 511.

BRONLEA MISHLER
WSDOT communications | 360-757-5947
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